Griffin Days Fall 2014

Fall 2014

In This Issue Halloween..................................5 Milliken Environmental Speaker...........5 New faculty..............................7-8 Powder Puff game....................10 Youth in Government...............11 SAT, ACT, AP test results.........12 Humanitas................................14 Colonial Day.............................17 Game of Tiaras.........................19 Fall sports awards...............25-26

SpartanburgDaySchool.org

Back To School Picnic

A New Year...

After a long summer break, the SDS community reunited over food and festivities during the annual back-to-school picnic on Aug. 19. Students returned the next day for the first day of the 2014-15 school year.

First Day of School SDS began a new school year on Wednesday, Aug. 20. It was the 58th first day of school in SDS history.

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H

ere we are just a few days into a new year and a new semester at SDS. Every day we are learning, growing, challenging, and in the midst of hard work, having a really good time as a community of learners. Days go by all too quickly when you are a fully engaged Griffin.

This issue of “Griffin Days” brings to life our Day School experiences from the first half of the school year. How quickly those days flew by for students and teachers. It seems as though the first day of school merged with the end of semester exams and holiday performances. However, in that space and time of a semester, the days were loaded with engaged learning, demanding expectations, meaningful moments and joyful celebrations. Browse a while over “Griffin Days” to see students and teachers engaged in learning, go on a pictorial field trip, relive the characters and plot in the plays and share the spirit of the fall athletic season. Read about the amazing and talented individuals, who teach, coach, work in support roles and volunteer selflessly. Hidden in and among all of these pictures and captions is the essence of the SDS experience – the beginning of lifelong relationships with friends and teacher-mentors, the emergence of leaders ready to take on the next challenge, curious thinkers on the brink of deeper self-discovery and an army of volunteers who are generous with their time and resources.

Congratulations, all, on a first semester filled with more memorable moments than “Griffin Days” can possibly hold. I hope you enjoy the highlights from fall 2014 and that you are already hard at work making your next Griffin moment one to remember.

Rachel S. Deems - Head of School

Campus Life

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Pink Out Ice Bucket Challenge

Students and teachers in all three divisions showed support for breast cancer awareness on Oct. 23 by wearing pink and making donations to the Bearden-Josey Center for Breast Health. The school raised a total of $435.

SDS students, faculty and staff and parents voluntarily dumped buckets of icy cold water on their heads on Monday, Aug. 25, all in support of a good cause. The Ice Bucket Challenge raised awareness for ALS disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. SDS wholeheartedly answered a challenge from Oakbrook Preparatory School and in turn challenged Spartanburg Christian Academy to participate. SDS’s event raised approximately $1,000 for the ALS Association.

Hour of Code Several classes in the Lower and Middle schools participated in the Hour of Code, a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in more than 180 countries. The Hour of Code, held during Computer Science Education Week Dec. 8-14, was a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and prove that anyone can learn the basics.

Book Fair

The Parents’ Club held its annual book fair in October. Purchases from the Scholastic fair, both at the school and online, benefitted the Parents’ Club and its many contributions to SDS.

Leading up to that week, SDS seventh graders created a coding board game in their technology classes and invited first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth grade classes to participate in Hour of Code activities. After their “unplugged” lesson, all students – even first graders! – created code with fun, age-appropriate tutorials online.

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Altogether, 168 Lower and Middle School students were counted among the other 90+ million students who participated worldwide.

Halloween Parade A day of spooky fun was had by all as students, faculty and staff got into the Halloween spirit by dressing in creative costume and parading around the track. The annual Halloween celebration has become a true SDS tradition and highlight of the school year.

Milliken Environmental Speaker David Scott, a scientist with the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory and a Spartanburg native, served as this year’s Milliken environmental speaker.

The presentations coincide each year with Roger Milliken’s birthday and are aimed to bring expert knowledge of various aspects of the Earth’s environment to SDS students.

Scott spent part of the day with Middle School students, teaching about and giving them an up close and personal look at his Rainbow Bay study, which is recognized as the longest running continuous amphibian study in the world. In the afternoon, he addressed the Upper School and shared pieces of his research.

Senior Jesseca Kusher enjoyed hearing about Scott’s research first hand.

“It is inspirational to me. I want to be a scientist working in a lab. I like to see how nature and science and learning all interconnect,” Kusher said, noting that she has enjoyed the Milliken speaker program. “It gives us a perspective on how important it is to appreciate the world around us.”

Drayton Mill Spartanburg Day School students participated in a ceremony at Drayton Mill to announce a new effort to revitalize the 112-year-old facility. Students led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Upper School’s jazz band performed.

Executives broke ground on the new Drayton Mills Loft Apartments and announced plans for a future multipurpose complex. SDS first opened its doors in 1957 in the Drayton Community Center of the mill before moving to its current location on Skylyn Drive.

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Golden Griffins Retired SDS faculty visited the school campus on Oct. 6 for the annual Golden Griffins luncheon.

Alumni Gathering Griffins of the last five graduating classes returned to SDS for a holiday gathering on Dec. 16. Alumni enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with each other, as well as with a few of their former teachers and coaches, and other faculty members.

Fall Festival SDS families and guests united over crafts, games and a meal during the annual Fall Festival on Sept. 26. Activities included inflatables, a rock climbing wall, a football toss, a cupcake walk and many other games and prizes.

Parents’ Club Bake Sale

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New Griffins Chika Burnham: 3K instructional associate

Burnham is a certified teacher with time spent in the classroom as a student teacher at Taylors Elementary School and as an afterschool teacher at Haynsworth School, both in Greenville. Past teaching experience includes schools on Rota Island (an island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), in Maine and in Japan. She is fluent in both English and Japanese and also works as a freelance translator. Burnham has a master’s degree in education from Converse College, a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Southern Maine and an associate’s degree in child development from Koen Gakuen College in Hokkaido, Japan. Burnham is married to Middle School science teacher Travis Burnham.

Nick Buxton: Sports information director, athletics facilities manager, boys’ and girls’ soccer coach, PE teacher

Buxton has served as a Carolina FC coach and trainer since 2009. He recently worked as the South Carolina Olympic Development Program Coach from 2011 to 2013. Previous coaching experience includes years spent as volunteer assistant at the University of South Carolina Upstate and varsity coach at Landrum High School. Before graduating from USC Upstate, Buxton played on the school’s soccer team. Buxton also played from 1998 to 2003 with the Watford Football Club, an English professional team.

Joseph Ensley: Guitar teacher

Ensley began playing guitar at age seven and has been a private classical and acoustic guitar instructor since 2009. Ensley is also an instructor for Guitars Not Guns, a youth outreach program for at-risk children. He is married to SDS strings teacher and violinist Tracy Figard Ensley.

Danielle Frías: Middle School Spanish teacher

Frías most recently taught middle school Spanish at Rye Country Day School in New York. She previously taught fourth grade at the Academy of the Americas and was an environmental education teacher for the U.S. Peace Corps in Panama. Frias earned a master’s in Spanish from Iona College in New York and has a bachelor’s of education from Millersville University in Pennsylvania. Frias has three daughters, 1-year-old twins Eloise and Joaquin, and Camila, who joined the SDS 4K class.

Susan Jobe: 3K teacher

Jobe comes to SDS from Westminster Presbyterian Day School, where she taught 2- and 3-year-olds. Her previous experience includes time spent as a fifth grade afterschool reading and writing teacher and a fourth grade teacher at ZL Madden Elementary School in Spartanburg District 7. She earned a master’s degree in elementary education from Converse College and a bachelor’s degree in German from the College of Charleston. She is married to Upper School history teacher Steve Jobe. They have two children at SDS, Lauren (sixth) and William (third).

Aixa O’Farril: Lower School Spanish teacher

O’Farril, a native Spanish speaker, spent 12 years in Spain (2000-2012), working in elementary schools and as a private tutor for primary students in reading, language, math and English. Prior to that, she worked in Puerto Rico with the Head Start program and teaching elementary and preschool students. O’Farril comes to SDS from Osceola, Fla.

Lisa Rutledge: VISTAS teacher

A native of North Carolina, Rutledge holds a bachelor of science in food science from N.C. State University, a master of science in pharmacy administration from the University of N.C. – Chapel Hill and a master of arts in teaching from Converse College. She has held positions in the science field, including work as a research lab assistant at Duke University Medical Center and in sales of medical laboratory testing and pharmaceuticals.

Rutledge is a state certified teacher and has taught fifth grade English/language arts, social studies, math and science in Spartanburg District 7 schools for five years. In addition, Lisa has recently substituted at SDS in grades 3K - 12 and has tutored Middle School students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades (all subjects). She and her husband, George, have one son, Ian, who graduated SDS in 2011 and is a senior at Wake Forest University.

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Chelsea Snyder: Upper School math teacher, cross country, track and field assistant coach

Snyder comes to SDS from Clemson University, where she was a graduate teacher of record teaching various mathematics courses. In addition to her teaching experience, Snyder previously worked as a mathematics statistician for the U.S. Army Public Health Command. Snyder earned a master’s in mathematical sciences from Clemson University in May and also has a bachelor’s in mathematics from Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

Ashley Stokes: Head of Lower School

Stokes earned a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of South Carolina, a master’s in divergent learning from Columbia College and a bachelor’s degree from Lander University with a major in elementary education. She came to SDS after working as a first grade reading interventionist at Pine Street Elementary School in Spartanburg School District 7, where she became a leader in reading instruction and facilitated professional development for other teachers. She previously worked for two years as a fifth grade teacher at Meadow Glen Elementary School in Lexington School District 1 and was appointed as a model technology teacher for the district. Before that, she taught fifth grade at Gilbert Elementary School (also in Lexington 1) and at Lakeview Elementary School in Greenwood School District 50.

Teresa Strait: Middle School language arts teacher (7th & 8th grades)

Strait comes to SDS from Carolina High School and Academy in Greenville where she taught various levels of English to high school-aged students for almost 10 years. She is gifted and talented certified.

Strait earned a secondary English education master’s degree in teaching from Converse College and has a bachelor’s in English from the College of Charleston. She is married to SDS librarian Will Strait. Their daughter, Sidney, is a second grader at SDS.

Flag the Lawn Hundreds of flags covered the SDS lawn on Veterans Day – a powerful and moving reminder of the reason behind the holiday and of a student-led effort to support American service members.

Sophomore Sam Spencer was the drive behind the second annual Flag the Lawn event, which supports the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that raises awareness for and helps injured service members by providing necessary programs and services to meet specific needs. Flags were sold for $1 each and placed symbolically in the ground near the Lower School drive and in the greenspace between the Upper School and Milliken building. This year’s event raised nearly $1,800 – almost twice as much as last year.

“Veterans have an immeasurable positive impact on their country and the communities they touch every day,” Spencer said. “It’s important to give back to them for their sacrifices…I hope the school benefits from the heightened awareness of the positive impact veterans have in their lives and from the opportunity to give back.”

Unicycles More than 30 Middle and Upper School students are pedaling and balancing their way into the sport of unicycle riding. The school’s new unicycle club, led by band director and unicyclist Dick Barnes, practices every Friday afternoon.

“I’ve included whoever wants to come, from fourth grade all the way up through the faculty members,” Barnes said. “The people who have already learned skills are willing to help others. The Upper School students will come in and help the faculty members, and that’s really neat to watch.”

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Upper School 9th-12th

ASTRA Sales ASTRA, the Upper School’s girls’ community service organization, hosted several fundraising events this fall, including a bake sale on Aug. 29 and a Bojangles biscuit sale on Dec. 10.

What’s Your Type?

Students in Kim Duckett’s human physiology class completed a blood-typing lab (with assistance from school nurse Marilyn Burtnett), pricking their fingers and placing a drop of blood on different regions of a blood-typing card. The lesson allowed students to determine their own blood type.

Interact Club The Interact Club, the Upper School’s boys’ service organization, held a pinning ceremony on Sept. 15. All officers, new members and the returning Interact members received their first pins. Pictured, Interact Past President Harry McBride presents Devin Srivastava with his pin.

Interact organized a yard sale on Nov. 1. SDS families were generous with their donations, which filled an 18-wheeler and spilled into the Seminar Room.

Despite a rainy sale day, the event was a success and will help fund future service projects sponsored by the Interact Club.

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Drawing the News

About the Author

Editorial cartoonist Robert Arial visited Upper School students in Steve Jobe’s class in October. Arial was a long-time cartoonist for The State newspaper. His cartoons are currently published in more than 600 newspapers through the United Features Syndicate.

Published author and SDS parent Michel Stone led book discussions in David McPherson’s Upper School English classes Tuesday, Sept. 30, following students’ study of “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck.

Students pondered similarities between the classic novel and Stone’s debut novel, “The Iguana Tree,” which chronicles a young family’s suspenseful journey from Mexico to the South Carolina coast.

Poetry Out Loud Student poets recited works for Poetry Out Loud on Nov. 13. Sophomore Jamie Montagne was named the school winner and will participate in a regional competition on Jan. 24.

Powder Puff Upper School students engaged in a little friendly competition for a cause with the annual Powder Puff football game on Nov. 14.

The ASTRA and Interact clubs and the Student Government Association joined forces to sponsor the game, which was followed by an evening of live music by Keller Ridgeway, s’mores and hot cocoa around a fire.

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Youth in Government Thirty-nine Spartanburg Day School students joined more than 1,000 of their peers from across the state in Columbia in November to participate in the South Carolina YMCA’s Youth in Government Model Legislature and Court Conference.

Twenty-four students spent two full days and two half days at the Capitol debating bills they had written prior to the conference in hopes of seeing them signed into youth law. Four others (Anna Pruett, Nora Duesterhaus, Emilee Griffith, and Niki Prestipino) served in leadership roles. SDS sent two teams to participate in the model court program, during which students played all of the roles in a criminal trial as well as both sides of a S.C. appellate court case.

Four legislative pairs from SDS (Mary Eliott Stone and Curry Sherard, Jackson Wall and Chris Overton, Bryson Nager and Devin Srivastava, and Elizabeth Oakes and Gray Phillips) had bills signed into law at the conference. The school brought home three Outstanding Statesman Awards thanks to Lee Aiken, Alex Freedman and Sam Spencer. Sam Spencer and Nora Duesterhaus were also chosen to represent South Carolina at the Conference on National Affairs this summer. SDS YIG advisor Margaret Sullivan was named Advisor of the Year during the conference.

SDS was one of several schools to receive the Premier Delegation Award in recognition of the delegation’s positive participation and good behavior.

Additionally, SDS alumnus Ian Rutledge ‘11 was recognized as the Outstanding College Resource Staff volunteer.

Declamation Eleven SDS French and Spanish students competed in Clemson’s 42nd Annual Declamation Contest on Saturday, Oct. 18. They each recited two poems from memory before a panel of judges who graded their accuracy, pronunciation and interpretation.

The following three students won awards in four events: • Andra Enuica: second place, Spanish 3A • Molly Mahon: second place, Spanish 3A and second place, French 4A • Ella Webster: first place, French 4A

Shark Tank Ten groups of seniors in Susan Owens’ math class pitched detailed business plans to three business professionals in October, à la ABC’s “Shark Tank.”

Students had two minutes to sell their ideas to the “sharks,” then fielded questions about their plans.

Businesses included Bows on Wheels, GeNie’s Event Planning, Stow Clothing Company and Spartanburg Transport. The lesson was a unique experience in business for these budding entrepreneurs.

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SATs

AP

SAT test data for 2014 reveals that Spartanburg Day School students’ results yet again surpassed state and national averages on the popular college entrance exam by a significant margin.

In 2014, 89 students took a combined total of 230 AP exams, with 82 percent of the exams taken earning a 3 or better (out of 5).

Students continue to show marked progress. In 2006, 46 Upper School students took a combined total of 105 AP exams, with 54 percent of the exams taken earning a passing score of 3 or better.

The SDS Class of 2014 earned a composite score of 1819 on the SAT (614 on verbal, 602 in math and 603 in writing). The average was down slightly from 2013’s 1828, but long-term data shows a noticeably upward trend. All 33 graduating seniors took the test. “While standardized test results are only a small measure of the quality of any school, I am pleased with our results and am most proud of the continued good work of our students and faculty,” said Upper School Head Jack MacMullan.

Among the 89 students taking AP exams in 2014, 88.8 percent earned a passing score on at least one exam, compared to 58.6 percent of AP test takers in South Carolina and 61.3 percent of test takers worldwide.

The Upper School faculty teaches six AP courses in 2014-15 that were not part of the curriculum six years ago, for a grand total of 20-plus currently offered. *Spartanburg County public schools’ combined average

Data for all students in South Carolina showed an increased composite score of 1443, compared to 1436 in 2013.

Nationally, that score was 1497, down one point from the previous year. Combined scores for public school students from all seven Spartanburg County districts averaged to 1448 in 2014.

Annual Fund

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the 2014 Annual Fund campaign was a great success. We reached the $500,000 goal, which in turn benefits every program, every student and every teacher at SDS.

*Spartanburg County public schools’ combined average

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Middle School 5th-8th

Chinese Dynasties Sixth grade students in Maureen MacMullan’s world studies class traveled back in time during a study of Chinese philosophies to take part in challenges that mimicked the civil service exam used for government positions.

Social Contracts Middle School advisories started the school year by perfecting social contracts for each grade. Students worked together to identify the most important commitments of being a Griffin, then signed the contract, agreeing to be examples of such qualities in their everyday activities.

This year’s contract called for students to “be respectful,” “work hard,” “be honest” and “believe in yourself,” among other things.

Middle School Government Middle School Government Council Anne Dobson Ball Elizabeth Smith Brownlee Wakefield Seventh grade representatives Molly McCuen Sherard Ellie Toler Vinnie Webster

Fifth grade representatives Kelly Killoren Karine Nguyen Finn Reid Birney Sherard

Students in Travis Burnham’s science class made ginger beer in December using fresh ginger root. The sweet, carbonated drink was ready to taste later in the week.

Sixth grade representatives Ligon Chewning AshKat Harley Alexandra Poliakoff

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Humanitas A valued part of being a Middle Schooler at SDS is learning the significance of helping others and giving back. The Humanitas program is an important element to that effort.

On Nov. 21, all Middle School students spent the day in various forms of community service. Fifth grade visited Skylyn Place to play games with and make an art project with residents. Sixth grade went to Hollywild Animal Park to work on various projects.

Seventh grade spent time working on the school garden, with SPACE cleaning up trails and with Total Ministries where they delivered and shelved the fruits of a can drive. Eighth grade visited Meeting Street Academy and Arcadia Elementary School.

Students also worked together on an all-school clean-up and raised money to purchase One World Futbols. For every ball purchased, One World Play Project donates a ball to organizations working with youth in disadvantaged communities worldwide. The Middle School purchased balls to donate to all three SDS divisions, to the aftercare program, to Meeting Street Academy, to Arcadia Elementary and to Hollywild Animal Park.

The One World project wasintroduced by Girl Scout Troop 3242 led by Middle School teacher Maureen MacMullan and made up of six SDS students. The troop presented the idea to their peers in the Middle School and, with the help of student government, organized a bake sale and raised more than $200 toward the cause.

“We learned about other countries and how they play soccer compared to how we do it,” said fifth grader and Girl Scout Lily Sheehan.

“Humanitas is about helping others, and this project is also about helping others,” added Ellie MacMullan, also a fifth grader and Girl Scout.

Planting Knowledge

Middle School Buddies

Students in Travis Burnham’s science class made their own terrariums during a unit on photosynthesis and respiration.

Once a week, Middle School students from sixth, seventh and eighth grade spend their mornings with Lower School friends in 3K to first grade.

The “buddies” program connects students across divisions as they spend time reading together, playing games and learning.

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Field Trips Middle School

Middle School students took learning outside the classroom in October for the annual class trips. Fifth grade spent three days at Earthshine Discovery Center in Lake Toxaway, N.C. while sixth and eighth graders visited Camp Wayfarer in Western North Carolina. Students experienced nature, played games and participated in teambuilding exercises.

Seventh graders took in the sights and sounds of Washington, D.C. They visited museums and monuments, bringing elements from their history books to life.

Middle School After Hours Fun

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Rag Coat Students in Kathy Payne’s kindergarten class got a lesson in friendship and kindness while reading “The Rag Coat.” The story is about a young girl who receives a jacket made of cloth scraps to keep her warm.

It teaches lessons of courage, empathy and understanding. Payne has used the story with her classes for many years and incorporates its message into learning throughout the school year.

Every student in Payne’s class selected a favorite scrap of fabric to contribute to a rag coat of their own. Anne Elliott, the grandmother of kindergartner Ellie Fisher, volunteered to sew the coat and signed Payne’s copy of “The Rag Coat,” just as every other coatmaker has through the years.

Lower School 3K-4th

4K Water Shortly after the start of the school year, 4-year-old kindergarten student Heath Boyd was worried about the construction workers outside his classroom window. Crews with Harper Corporation had been hard at work on the east side of the SDS campus since the beginning of summer on new sidewalks and drives. Lower School students had been curiously watching the progress.

Heath told teacher Jennifer Futrell the workers could probably use a sip of cold water to drink.

“I thought they were hot,” Heath said. “They’re helping to build stuff.”

Futrell said Heath’s idea to offer water to the workers was authentic and offered without any prompting. Empathy, she said, fits nicely into the Lower School’s International Baccalaureate focus.

On Friday morning, both 4K classes collaborated to make signs thanking the workers and inviting them to take a break for a cool drink. They set up a table outside of the Lower School lobby, then poured and offered cups to the thirsty crew.

“It’s a small gesture, but for the students it’s a huge life lesson,” Futrell said. “All the children got to be a part of it.”

Watershed Ecology Educators with the Watershed Ecology Center at the University of South Carolina Upstate visited Lower School classrooms this fall to teach students about the ecology of the region.

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Community Heroes Members of the Drayton Fire Department visited 3K, 4K and 5K on Oct. 21, teaching students about fire safety and firefighting equipment.

Holiday Crafts Just before the holidays, 3K students made wreaths with a visiting artist from Japan.

Celebration of the Season Students in first through fourth grades performed in the annual Celebration of the Season holiday concert on Dec. 19, featuring both traditional and modern music of the holiday season.

Pizza Party

Holiday Concert

The 4K was treated to a pizza party with Chef Ed on Oct. 22.

Students in 3K, 4K and 5K performed Dec. 12 during a combined holiday concert.

Colonial Day On Nov. 21, second grade students donned bonnets and feathered headbands to celebrate the much-anticipated annual Colonial Day. Overnight, classrooms were transformed into teepees and log cabins. Students rotated from room to room, spending the day hand-dipping candles, crafting rain sticks and practicing calligraphy as they learned what it might have been like to live in Colonial America.

Doug Hurlbert has been helping to organize Colonial Day since his daughters, Erin (’10) and Adelaide (’11), were in Lower School – about 15 years ago. From the hand-painted log cabin backdrops to the antique Colonial-era hand tools on display, every year is another opportunity for Hurlbert to impart some of his personal interest in early American history on the newest class of second graders.

“I would hope that the students would be able to see that history is not just some collection of dry facts that they might read in a book, but the story of people’s lives, just like their own, that made us what we are today,” said Hurlbert, who works as a local architect. “Immersing them into that atmosphere might briefly give them a glimpse of what it was like to be a child 200 years ago. You never know when you might start a spark of interest in a child.”

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The Arts JoAnna Commandaros Visiting artist JoAnna Commandaros spent time with Upper School art students in late October, leading them through the creation of a collaborative sculpture installation. Students used wire to weave, wrap and shape pieces of art into organic shapes. Commandaros, a University of Pittsburgh professor and sculptor, said the lessons teach students about innovation and discovery. The works will eventually become a new collage for the Upper School stairwell.

OrisiRisi OrisiRisi (Don and Tutu Harrell) made a return visit to SDS on Dec. 9 for a performance in the Dent Fine Arts Center.

The duo teaches about African culture and folklore through traditional music, dancing, songs and stories.

Nathan Corbin Graphic designer Nathan Corbin visited SDS from San Francisco for a few days in early October to lead Upper School visual art students through the process of creating online galleries. Students walked away with the beginnings of a personal web page they can maintain and carry with them after graduating from SDS.

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Game of Tiaras Upper School theater students took a hilarious romp through the medieval era with their latest production, “Game of Tiaras.” Audiences were treated to three showings from Dec. 10-12 on the Dent Gallery stage.

The theatrical power struggle spoofed King Lear, Game of Thrones and every Disney princess to hold a copyright. The play, written by Don Zolidis and directed by Valerie Barnet, featured a cast and crew of more than 30 Upper School students.

“It was very interesting working with 30-plus students on a play that was a cross between Game of Thrones and King Lear – with Disney princesses to boot,” Barnet said. “Everyone could connect on one or more levels, and the students did a wonderful job of presenting this show. I am so proud of them.”

Junior Ella Webster, who played the part of Belle from “Beauty and the Beast,” applauded the dedication of Barnet, Dent Center Coordinator Nancy Corbin and the whole cast and crew.

“I adored being a part of this play,” Ella said. “Everyone involved worked so hard to be a part of its success. Although this is one of the biggest plays the drama team has ever taken on, I never was bored in rehearsal and looked forward to it every day. It was a really clever, well-written play, and we never stopped having fun with our lines.”

Mike Wiley Playwright and actor Mike Wiley presented “Brown vs. the Board of Education” to Upper School students on Dec. 2. The play takes students back to the early 1950s when the Supreme Court ruled that segregation was unconstitutional. Wiley’s performances are designed to inspire audiences to examine America’s racial history, teach lessons of the past and encourage the application of the teachings to the present.

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Warming Up the Band The SDS band program once again started the school year on a high note, with several concerts and student accolade.

The Upper School band entertained with its annual Halloween (Oct. 23) and holiday (Dec. 4) concerts this fall. This year’s group is made up of about 35 students.

“It’s a young group, but they’re playing well,” said director Dick Barnes.

The Upper School’s jazz band is performing during basketball games and also was invited to play at a groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 10 to restore Drayton Mill.

Three Upper School students made the Winthrop Honors Band, which represented musicians from North and South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Junior Iman Qatawi sat second chair oboe. Libby Davenport, a junior, was seventh chair clarinet in the top symphonic band, and sophomore Vanna Tsiknias played third chair clarinet in the top symphonic band.

“It was an incredible showing for our school and for their personal work ethics,” Barnes said of the student honors.

The Middle School band of about 50 students held its holiday concert on Dec. 8. The jazz band also performed.

Three Middle School students qualified for the Limestone Honors Band’s gold band this year: Robey Leonardi (eighth grade, trombone), Mae Webster (eighth grade, trombone) and Ben Felson (seventh grade, saxophone). Ben sat second chair.

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“I love watching them learn and getting excited about music,”

– Dick Barnes band director

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Fayssoux McLean Famed local musician Fayssoux McLean performed “How We Express Ourselves” for students in the Dent Center on Dec. 3.

Flute Salad Music lovers savored a taste of “Flute Salad” at SDS on Monday, Sept. 29. The musical performance presented by the Philharmonic Flutes, included performances by Rhea Jacobus, Sally Frick and Brennan Szafron. The musical menu included pieces

by Mozart, Schubert, Piazolla and Faure. Strings musicians, including SDS strings coordinator Tracy Ensley, also performed. The program, held in the Dent Fine Arts Gallery, was performed in honor of long-time Lower School teacher Sonia LeCroy.

Masters of Cuban Propaganda Posters Lindsay Webster’s personal collection of Cuban propaganda posters hung in the Dent Gallery for a month, beginning Nov. 5. Webster, who has visited Cuba seven times and led a Special Studies trip to the country two years ago, spoke about the exhibit on Nov. 15.

NC Youth Tap Ensemble The North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble treated Middle School students to a rhythmic and exciting performance on Sept. 12. The group, made up of dancers from age 8 to 18, tours the U.S. and beyond to entertain audiences with both contemporary and traditional tap routines.

After the performance, the ensemble led fifth and eighth graders in dance workshops. Students had fun learning classic tap moves, like step-ball-change, and interacting with the visiting artists.

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Spartanburg Philharmonic The SDS Children’s Chorus and Chamber Singers performed with the Spartanburg Philharmonic on Dec. 6 for the Philharmonic’s holiday concert, “Holiday Classics and Handel’s Sing-Along Messiah” at Converse College’s Twichell Auditorium. The program featured Christmas classics and local choirs performing portions of George Frederick Handel’s Messiah “The opportunity to partner with the SPO provided our students with a rare and unique performing experience at a very high level of excellence,” said Sally Frick, chorus director for Lower and Upper School.

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Tarradiddle Players The Tarradiddle Players, the resident touring company of the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, spent time at SDS this fall, entertaining audiences with theater and song during performances including “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel,” “Interrupting Vanessa” and “The Lion and the Little Red Bird.”

Interrupting Vanessa

Mike Mulligan

The Lion and the Little Red Bird 23

Athletics

Bill Rodgers Four-time winner of the Boston and New York City marathons Bill Rodgers came to Spartanburg in early September to visit SDS and start the 31st annual Eye Opener Cross Country meet. Rodgers, also a member of the 1976 U.S. Olympic team, spent time at Spartanburg Day School on Sept. 5 to sign copies of his book, “Marathon Man,” and to speak at a community event in the Webster Athletic Complex. The next day, Rodgers fired the starting gun at the Eye Opener, held at the Milliken Research Center. The meet included high school and collegiate races. More than 80 high schools, including SDS, competed.

Swim Champs The Spartanburg Day School girls’ and boys’ varsity swim teams each brought home a championship win from the 2014 SCISA state championship swim meet in October. The wins were repeat performances for both the girls and the boys.

The girls started out strong winning the 200 medley relay and extended their lead to the end of the meet. Individual and relay champions were: 200 Medley Relay (Brigid Duesterhaus, Aimee McVey, Nora Duesterhaus and Caroline Rivers); 200 Free, Aimee McVey; 100 Free, Brigid Duesterhaus; 500 Free, Aimee McVey; and 400 Free Relay (Brigid Duesterhaus, Nora Duesterhaus, Lexi Lyon and Aimee McVey). Multiple Griffins finished in the top 10 in their events, which allowed for the team to secure victory.

The boys faced stiff competition from Hilton Head Christian Academy in the 200 medley and 200 free relays. However, the boys were able to seal the deal with multiple top 10 finishes in the backstroke and breaststroke, finished off with a first place finish in the 400 free relay. Individual and relay champions were: 100 backstroke, Davis Kleman, and the 400 free relay (Davis Kleman, Geoff McVey, J.J. Smith and Matt Overton). Many Griffins finished in the top five with some additional Griffins getting in the top 10, which allowed the boys to surpass Hilton Head Christian Academy.

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Tennis Ring Ceremony A ring ceremony honoring the championship varsity boys’ tennis team was held Oct. 2. The team won its third AA SCISA state tennis title in May with a 7-2 victory over Palmetto Christian Academy.

“’3 Pete’ was a joke that went around the team the whole season. We had won two straight championships, and at the beginning of the season, Coach sent us a text that said something along the lines of working hard and getting a ‘3 Pete’ instead of ‘3 peat,’ referring to a third straight championship. Instead of putting ‘3 peat’ on the rings we put ‘3 Pete’ after we won the championship because it meant more to the team.” - Connor Smith, senior

Fall Sports Awards

Congratulations to our hardworking and talented Griffin athletes who were recognized Nov. 6, during the fall athletic awards ceremony.

Coach of the year Mandy Fasset-Johnson (volleyball)

CMSC All-Conference Rett Foust Molly Sherard Kathryn Childs

SCISA All-Region Jamie Montagne (POY) Anne Whitney Zelle Richardson Kaylee Owens

SCISA All-State Matthew Overton Davis Kleman Geoffrey McVey Aimee McVey Brigid Duesterhaus Nora Duesterhaus Lexi Lyon Ann Whitney Kaylee Owens Jesseca Kusher Devin Srivastava Cody Greer

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Team achievements

Women’s swimming SCISA state champions Men’s swimming SCISA state champions Women’s cross country SCISA runners-up Men’s cross country SCISA runners-up

Sport

Award Winner

Middle School Girls’ Volleyball

Most Improved Coach’s Award MVP

Ariana Muehlenbein Maggie Grace Genoble, Julia Whitney Molly McCuen Sherard

JV Girls’ Volleyball

Most Improved Coach’s Award MVP

Lily Webster Kathleen Babb, Lauren Oakes Allie Lockman

Varsity Girls’ Volleyball Most Improved

Coach’s Award

MVP

Julia Cooper Sara Hutchins, Zelle Richardson Ann Whitney

Varsity Girls’ Cross Country

Most Improved Coach’s Award MVP

Kathryn Child Jesseca Kusher, Julia Wall Nora Duesterhaus

Varsity Boys’ Cross Country

Most Improved Coach’s Award MVP

Lee Aiken Alex Freedman, Asa Davis Devin Srivastava

Middle School girls’ cross country

Coach’s Award

Rachel Summers, Vinnie Webster

Middle School boys’ cross country

Coach’s Award

Brownlee Wakefield, Cooper Hannah

Middle School boys’ soccer

Most Improved Coach’s Award MVP

Robert Lyon Will Henderson Rett Foust

Varsity girls’ swimming

Most Improved Coach’s Award MVP

Mae Webster Nora Duesterhaus, Anne Dobson Ball Aimee McVey

Varsity boys’ swimming

Most Improved Coach’s Award MVP

Charles Overcarsh Anders Ike, William Owens Davis Kleman

JV girls’ tennis

Most Improved Coach’s Award MVP

Rachel Johnson Alexandra Poliakoff, Kelly Killoren Marianna Converse

Varsity girls’ tennis

Most Improved Coach’s Award MVP

Caroline Simon Ansley DeVore Jamie Montagne

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Volleyball

Soccer

Middle School

Middle School

Tennis

Junior Varsity

Junior Varsity

Varsity

Varsity

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Cross Country

Swim

Equestrian

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